The Hyperion possesses a Yamato Cannon ability and can deploy tac fighters to aid it in battle. Destroying a pirate capital ship as an optional objective grants it an Electric Field ability that disables nearby enemies for a short time. It can also use the Warp Jump ability to teleport a short distance. When damaged, the Hyperion automatically repairs itself over time.

As the player gathers mineral pick-ups in the level, the Hyperion will be upgraded. Its weapons and Yamato Cannon will deal more damage, its health and armor will increase, it will be able to build and deploy more tac fighters, and the Electric Field ability will stun enemies longer.

The Hyperion launches all available tac fighters to attack enemies near the target location. The number of launched fighters is initially six, plus two for each level the hyperion has, to a maximum of twelve at max level. Destroyed tac fighters are rebuilt over time.

Sends out an electrical shockwave around the Hyperion, temporarily disabling enemy mechanic units and structures. Duration of stun begins at three seconds, plus an additional second for each Hyperion level, to a maximum of six seconds at maximum level.

For the mission "With Friends Like These" in Heart of the Swarm, the Hyperion originally had additional abilities. It could create a temporary shield to absorb damage, had an Ion Thrusters ability to grant a temporary speed boost, could deploy point-defense drones to shoot down incoming enemy missiles, and could manufacture and deploy cloaked banshees, which could only attack structures.[1]